Certificate Course in School Mental Health Facilitator

Transforming Lives With Compassionate Mental Health Care And Hope.

School Mental Health Facilitator (SMHF)

Certificate Course

Antara Institute of Health Sciences
A unit of Antara Society

Certificate awarded in academic collaboration with

Ramakrishna Mission Residential College (Autonomous), Narendrapur

Building Mental Health Capacity in Schools

Schools play an increasingly important role in recognising and responding to the mental health and wellbeing needs of children and adolescents.

The School Mental Health Facilitator (SMHF) Certificate Course is designed to equip teachers, counsellors, welfare staff and other professionals working with schools with the knowledge and practical skills needed to recognise student distress, respond appropriately, facilitate peer support, engage with parents and establish effective referral pathways.

The programme focuses on school-based mental health facilitation, helping participants understand how to support students while recognising when professional intervention and referral are required.

Who Should Apply Section with Image

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

The course is suitable for:

School teachers and administrators

School counsellors and student welfare staff

Social workers and allied mental health professionals working with schools

DIET/SCERT faculty and teacher-trainers

Individuals seeking a certified foundation in school-based mental health facilitation

Course Highlights

Course Details

6 Months

Duration of the certificate course

Hybrid Learning

Sessions delivered at Antara Institute of Health Sciences

60 Hours of Curriculum

Structured learning across six modules

Practical Application

Psychological first aid rehearsal, peer-support facilitation and development of sample referral and compliance documentation

English

Medium of instruction

Graduate Eligibility

Graduates in any discipline may apply; practising teachers, school counsellors, welfare staff, social workers and DIET/SCERT faculty are especially encouraged to apply

What Will You Learn?

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

What Will You Learn Section

Legal & Policy Framework

Understand the legal and policy framework for school mental health in India.

Early Warning Signs

Recognise early warning signs of psychological distress in students.

Safe Language

Use safe and de-stigmatising language when discussing mental health.

First Disclosure Response

Respond appropriately when a student first discloses distress.

Psychological First Aid

Apply psychological first aid and structured listening techniques.

Peer-Support Activities

Facilitate student peer-support activities.

Professional Referral

Understand when and how to refer students for professional support.

Referral Pathways

Develop referral pathways between schools and external mental health providers.

Parent Sensitisation

Design parent-sensitisation activities addressing academic pressure and student distress.

Programme Evaluation

Understand programme evaluation, outcome measurement and compliance documentation.

Course Curriculum

The course covers six broad areas:

Course Curriculum Section

Module 01

Understanding School Mental Health

Legal and policy context, the role of the School Mental Health Facilitator and national frameworks relating to school mental health.

Module 02

Recognising & Responding to Student Distress

Early warning signs, de-stigmatisation, safe communication and appropriate responses to student disclosures.

Module 03

Psychological First Aid & Structured Listening

Principles of psychological first aid, structured listening, brief intervention skills and case documentation.

Module 04

Peer Support

The “Look, Listen, Link” framework, peer-support circles and supporting trained peer facilitators.

Module 05

Working with Parents & the School Community

Parent-sensitisation workshops, communication without stigma, anti-discrimination and anti-bullying initiatives, and school-wide sensitisation.

Module 06

Referral Pathways, Compliance & Programme Evaluation

Building referral pathways, helpline integration including Tele-MANAS, compliance documentation and evaluating programme outcomes.

Practical & Applied Learning

The course goes beyond theoretical learning and provides opportunities to practise key school mental health facilitation skills.

Participants will engage with activities such as:

Practical & Applied Learning Section

Psychological first aid rehearsal
Structured listening practice
Peer-support circle facilitation
Drafting sample referral pathways
Preparing compliance documentation
Applying programme evaluation approaches

Certification

On successful completion of the course and required examinations, participants receive a certificate from Ramakrishna Mission Residential College (Autonomous), Narendrapur, in academic collaboration with Antara Institute of Health Sciences.

Course Fee Section

Course Fee

Total Course Fee

₹10,000

Registration Fee ₹2,000

Tuition Fee ₹8,000

Download the Detailed Prospectus

Explore the complete information about the curriculum, module-wise topics, evaluation and grading, certification and other programme details.

Scope of Employment

On completion of the course, graduates may take on school mental health facilitation roles in settings including:

Government and private schools
Coaching centres
Residential hostels
District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET) and teacher-training programmes
NGOs and mental health organisations delivering school-based programmes

The prospectus describes these as potential settings for school mental health facilitation roles.

Admissions &Enquiries

Course Coordinator: Ms. Bincy Mary George

Antara Institute of Health Sciences
Antaragram, P.O. Dakshin Gobindapur
P.S. Baruipur, Kolkata – 700145

Better Conversations. Better Support. Better Lives.

Admissions &Enquiries

Course Coordinator: Ms. Bincy Mary George

Antara Institute of Health Sciences
Antaragram, P.O. Dakshin Gobindapur
P.S. Baruipur, Kolkata – 700145

Better Conversations. Better Support. Better Lives.

Certificate Course in School Mental Health Facilitator

Transforming Lives With Compassionate Mental Health Care And Hope.

School Mental Health Facilitator (SMHF)

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Course Highlights

What Will You Learn?

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Legal & Policy Framework

Early Warning Signs

Safe Language

First Disclosure Response

Psychological First Aid

Peer-Support Activities

Professional Referral

Referral Pathways

Parent Sensitisation

Programme Evaluation

Course Curriculum

Understanding School Mental Health

Recognising & Responding to Student Distress

Psychological First Aid & Structured Listening

Peer Support

Working with Parents & the School Community

Referral Pathways, Compliance & Programme Evaluation

Practical & Applied Learning

Certification

Course Fee

Total Course Fee

Download the Detailed Prospectus

Scope of Employment

The prospectus describes these as potential settings for school mental health facilitation roles.

Admissions &Enquiries

Admissions &Enquiries

Services

ANTARA

Society Registration NO - SO012398 of 1972-1973(WEST BENGAL ACT XXVI of 1961)